Bridle-bit.



No. 658,377. Patented'se'pt 25, |900.,

- .1. L. LEE.

BRIDLE BIT.

(Application filed Mar. 6, 1900.,)

(No Model.)

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UNKTED STATES ATENT @rnrca.

JOSEPH LOVEREL LEE, OF EVAN'I, TEXAS.

BRlDLE-BIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0.-65 8,377, dated September 25, 1 900.

Application filed March 6, i900. serial No. 7,532. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH LOVEREL LEE, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Evant, in the county of Col-yell and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridle-Bits; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in bridle-bits, and has for one object to construct a bit serving a four-fold purposethat is, a

bit which can be made to bring severe pressure on the mouth of the horse to which it is applied, enabling a person to controla mean or dangerous animal, one which can be used to produce a moderate or medium pressure, and one which can be made a very mild bit for use in driving a quiet and kind horse, and also a bit which can be used to hold a holdback or pull-back horse when hitched.

A further object is to provide a bit capable of performing the above-named functions of an exceedingly simple anddurable nature,and one which can be produced at a small cost.

A further object is to provide a bit with a bar for the mouth, a curb-bar adapted to lie under the lower jaw or lip of the animal to which it is applied, and levers so arranged that when a pull is exerted thereon they will cause a twisting or turning movement of the bit, bearing down upon the mouth-bar and up upon the curb-bar, thereby bringing pressure on the inside and outside of the lowerjaw of the horse, forming a very effective means of controlling a mean horse.

A further object is to provide a bit of a generally simplified, improved, and effective construction.

With such and other objects in view the invention is embodied in the several novel parts and arrangement and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and particularly set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings is shown a practical embodiment of the invention; but it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited in its useful applications to the construction which for the sake of illustration is there delineated.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective Referring to the drawings, A indicates a I bridle, which may be of the usual or any convenient style, the same comprising the side stalls B.

The improved bit comprises, as will be seen in the accompanying drawings, two side rings 0 O, which correspond with the rings at the sides of the bit-bar of the usual or ordinary bit. These rings, as shown, are secured to the side stalls B. Connecting the rings is an inside bit-bar D, adapted to be placed in the horses mouth, as withjhe usual straight-bar bit. This bar D is provided at its ends with eyes d, through which the rings 0 0 pass, the eyes permitting movement of the bar on the rings. This bar D, as shown in the drawings, is conveniently slightly curved. E indicates a bar also connecting the two rings 0 0', this bar having two eyes or loops 6, through which the rings 0 0 pass, the bar being movable 0n the rings. This bar E, as shown, is conveniently straight and when in position on the horse occupies the position shown in the drawingsthatis, outside of and back of the lower jaw.

F F indicate two curb-levers of similar construction, one being secured to each of the side rings C 0. Each lever is provided at its forward end with an eye or loop f, sleeved on the side ring between the two bars D and E, the forward or loop end of the lever being positioned above the barD and the rear end of the lever passing under the curbbar E inside of the rings 0 C. At their lower ends the levers F are provided with loops or rings G for the attachment of the drivingrein, which isindicated at H. As shown in the drawings, the levers F F are bowed downward, having the upper con vexed edges f.

I (see dotted lines, Fig. 2) indicates a check-rein,.which, as will be seen from the drawings, is secured to the side rings 0 C between the curb-bar E and the side stalls of the bridle B. v

With the parts arranged as shown in the drawings and above described it will be evident that a rearward pull on the lower ends of the levers F F by the driving-rein H will cause the levers to bear up ward ly on the curbbarE, tending to move the same on the rings 0 C and downwardly on the bar D, tending to move the same on the rings GO in the horses mouth, thereby pinching or biting the lower jaw between the two bars and enabling a very severe pressure to be brought on the horses ja\v,thus rendering it possible to control a very dangerous animal. The bars being movable on the rings, it is not necessary for the latter to turn or slip in the bridle connections. Then it is desired, however, to bring a medium or intermediate pressure on the horses jaw, the driving-rein H is detached from the levers and secured to the side rings 0 O, as indicated by dotted lines H, between the curb-bar E and the side stalls of the bridle. In this case, while practically the same effect is produced of biting or pinching the lower jaw of the horse, yet the action is not so severe, as will be evident. In this case the curblevers F F fall loosely at the chin of the animal. If the driving rein or line H be attached to the side rings 0 O beneath the curb-barE-that is, at the point indicated at I-I it will be evident that the curb-bar is not broughtinto use, and the wildest form of driving-bridle is secured. A further use of the invention is in the hitching of the animal. When the rein of the bridle, as the checkrein I, is thrown over the head of the animal and hitched to a post or analogous hitching device, no rope or halter is needed to hold the worst horse, as the pressure when pulling back will be thrown on the lower jaw.

Having thus described the invention,what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is it 1. A bridle-bit comprising an inside bitbar, a curb-bar, means connecting the two bars and permitting the independentmovement of each bar, and curb-levers operatively engaging said bars so that when moved a downward pressure is brought on the inside abit-bar and an upward pressure on the curbbar, substantially as described.

2. A bridle-bit comprising two side rings, an inside bit-bar connected to said side rings, a curb-bar connectedto said side rings, and curb-levers connected to said side rings and lengaging said curb-bar and said inside bitbar and adapted to operate in substantially the manner described and for the purposes set forth.

3. A bridle-bit, comprising two side rings, an inside bit-bar, movably connected to said side rings, a curb-bar movably connected to said side rings, and curb-levers movably connected to said side rings between said inside bar and curb-bar and extending from above one bar below and engaging the other bar, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH LOVEREL LEE.

Witnesses:

T. J. BRooKs, R. G. AUSTIN. 

